South East

Construction of a new dual two-lane route to carry the A249 from the current end of the dual carriageway to Sheerness. It includes provision of a viaduct across The Swale to replace the existing lifting bridge which causes severe delays. The route will be grade separated at the Iwade roundabout, with a larger roundabout at the scheme's southern terminus on the existing dual carriageway at Cowstead.

Widening of the M25 between junctions 12 and 15 to dual-five lane, and provision of a new spur road to Heathrow Airport between junctions 14 and 15, connected to the M25 via a new free-flow junction. Six lanes each way will be provided between junctions 14 and 15.

As of April 2004, the Highways Agency has announced its intention to widen the rest of the M25 to at least dual four lane carriageways, except junctions 3 to 5.

A new dual two-lane road on a new alignment connecting the current Four Elms Hill dual carriageway to the Sharnal Street bypass. It is not grade separated, and will have roundabouts at principal junctions. The scheme includes a new single carriageway link road into Hoo, terminating near Broad Street Cottages.

Construction of a new dual-carriageway bypass to the town of Lamberhurst, including a 'green bridge' to shield the National Trust property Scotney Castle from the road's presence - this will be an overbridge several times wider than the castle approach road to prevent visitors noticing they are passing over the A21.

It has been announced since work on this scheme started that a further two sections of the A21 are to be dualled also, Kippings Cross to Lamberhurst and Tonbridge to Pembury.

Upgrade of M4 junction 13, where the A34 currently crosses the route. The plans will divert the A34 to the west of the junction on three miles of new dual carriageway to pass under the M4 without a junction, with the present dual carriageway through the M4 junction becoming a connecting road merging with the A34 at each end of the new section.

Upgrade of the existing two-lane M2 to three and four lane plus hard shoulder carriageways as far as junction 4. The upgrade is largely 'parallel' - a second carriageway is constructed alongside the existing motorway, with the present two carriageways eventually becoming one single wide carriageway. The scheme also includes massive upgrades to substandard junctions and the construction of a second Medway Bridge.

Today you can catch a train to France. You can even put your car on it, and be there in less than an hour. But in the 1980s, Euro Tunnel had competition - including plans to build a motorway across the English Channel.

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The A465 Heads of the Valleys Road is one of the most spectacular trunk roads in the UK, and building it required some of the most remarkable civil engineering. This is the story of how the road was built in the 1960s, and how it's being rebuilt today.